Good-Bye LR4, Hello 2017 Land Rover Discovery

The LR4 is no more! Land Rover has unveiled its replacement, the Discovery tonight in Paris.

The biggest change that you'll be able to tell about the new Discovery is the design. Gone is the box shape that has been a trademark of the model since the first-generation back in the late-eighties. In its place is a shape that is similar to the smaller Discovery Sport. Details to take in include new LED headlights, smaller grille, sculpting on the doors, LED taillights, and a one-piece tailgate.

Inside, the Discovery comes with a new dash design featuring a 10.2-inch touchscreen with the latest version of Land Rover's InControl infotainment system. Other tech features include nine USB ports, door-to-door navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Discovery offers three rows of seating. One clever trick Land Rover has for this model is the ability to configure the seating arrangement through the touchscreen or a smartphone app.

The Big News Is Under the Skin

The big story Land Rover has for the new Discovery deals with the platform. Unlike previous Discovery models that used a body-on-frame platform, the new model uses a unibody one. Called Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA), it features a large amount of Aluminum and helps drop 1,000 pounds out of the new Discovery. To put this in perspective, the base LR4 tips the scales at 5,655 pounds.

Power for the U.S.-spec model will come from either a supercharged 3.0L V6 (340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque) or a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 (254 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque). Both engines come paired with an eight-speed automatic and a full-time four-wheel drive system.

When it comes to off-roading, the Discovery gets the All-Terrain Progress Control from the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Think of this system as a low-speed cruise control system for off-road driving. Other off-road goodies include Land Rover's Terrain Response Control and optional air suspension system. The Discovery is more capable than the outgoing LR4 with an approach angle of up to 34 degrees, departure angle of 30 degrees, and the ability to wade through 34.4 inches of water.

As for safety, the Discovery is available with the latest driver assistance technology such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a surround camera system.

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery arrives next summer with a base price of $50,985 (includes a $995 destination charge).

Pic Credit: Land Rover